Under fire Ajax boss Frank de Boer has admitted that all the pressure will be on the home side as they welcome Celtic for a must-win Champions League clash.

Still reeling from a 1-0 loss to mid-table Vitesse Arnhem in Amsterdam on Saturday night, de Boer is presiding over Ajax’s worst start to a season in half a century.

Looking ahead to Wednesday night’s visit of Celtic, two points clear of Ajax in Group H following a 2-1 win for the Scottish champions in Glasgow last time out, de Boer confessed: ‘They will go into this game more confident than us because we’re the team under pressure right now.

Pressure's on: Frank de Boer admits he is feeling the heat in the Ajax hot seat

‘But, normally in football, when you’re under the most pressure you play the best games.

‘How big is the match with Celtic? Well, if we want to have a meaningful say in this group, we must get three points. That’s clear.

‘It would take us a point ahead of Celtic, so it’s important to win.

‘Also, if we presume that Barcelona beat Milan at home, we still can have a chance of second place.

‘So it’s a crucial game for us. For Celtic, a draw might be enough.’

Ajax’s inexperience and defensive frailty was cruelly exposed by Vitesse, who could have scored several times before their 90th-minute winner, De Boer admitting: ‘Of course, the result against Vitesse is a concern.

‘But you take it with you into the next game. It has an influence.

‘You’re even more determined to turn the form around with good football and a positive result.

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‘I’m sure the confidence will return to my team because we have a lot of quality in the squad. I will keep telling them that.

‘Also, with the way we played in Glasgow, that gives me belief and confidence for Wednesday night. The fans will create a great atmosphere here and we’ll give it our best.’

Celtic captain Scott Brown, meanwhile, insists his side can take a significant stride towards the last 16 of the Champions League without him.

The influential Parkhead skipper is out of Wednesday’s clash and the home game with AC Milan following the failure of his personal appeal against a three- match suspension.

Brown will make the trip to Holland to support his team-mates — despite the anguish of sitting the game out following a red card against Barcelona.

Going anyway: Scott Brown will travel with the squad to Holland even though he can't play

‘I’m going over with the lads,’ confirmed Brown. ‘It will be hard to watch but I hope they can do it. I wanted to go over.

‘Will I be in the changing room with the boys? Of course.

‘Will I be giving a team talk? No, that’s the gaffer’s job.

‘But I think they’ve got a great chance.

‘They showed what a good team they are when they played Ajax at Parkhead.’